MAGICIANS – Part 2 – Magicians perform magic right? What is magic? Is it good?

Last week we saw that Magicians are truly disbelievers and the magic that they learn has no benefit whatsoever. What is magic? Is it good? One thing for sure is that magic is absolutely no good.

There are numerous opinions regarding the question of ‘what is magic’ and ‘when it came into existence’? We know it originated from Babylon but we don’t know the exact time.

The magicians always try to present magic as a kind of supernatural act. Since human beings are drawn to different things there are different forms of magic which we will analyze over the coming weeks In Shaa Allah.

Just for an example, there is a magician who will do magic of trying to predict the future, speak about the unseen; another example, a magician will float to impress; and so on.

In short Magic is falsehood that is done by a magician with the assistance of the jinn(s).

Manly P Hall (33 degree Freemason) says: True black magic is performed with the aid of a demoniacal spirit, who serves the sorcerer for the length of his earthly life, with the understanding that after death the magician shall become the servant of his own demon. For this reason a black magician will go to inconceivable ends to prolong his physical life, since there is nothing for him beyond the grave.

‘And verily, there were men among mankind who took shelter with the masculine among the jinns, but they (jinns) increased them (mankind) in sin and disbelief. (Qur’an 72:6)

Founder of the church of satan, Anton LaVey, had some elucidating things to say on this matter:

“LaVey makes no distinction between white and black magic, claiming that white Wiccan witches and ‘new agers’ have been freely calling upon the dark forces and suiting them to their own hypocritical purposes. He stated, ‘All magic is the realm of the Devil, no matter how righteously you dress it up. The claims that ‘black’ magic is only for destruction and ‘white’ for healing is bunk. Satanic magic is used to invoke powers of justice, and can be used to help yourself or one you care about, just as easily as it would be used to curse someone’…

We have reached the conclusion that the angels Harut and Marut taught the magicians how to communicate with the jinns and how they can work together; and Allah knows best.

Believe it or not; magic is falsehood. It is just the magician using the skills of the jinns at his disposal to carry out his dirty work.

There are many authentic hadiths which prove that the jinns and the magicians work together; an example is a hadith we used last week:

Sahih al-Bukhari -> Beginning of Creation: Narrated ‘Aisha: I heard Allah’s Apostle saying, “The angels descend, the clouds and mention this or that matter decreed in the Heaven. The devils listen stealthily to such a matter, come down to inspire the soothsayers with it, and the later would add to it one hundred lies of their own.”

Do you honestly think that magicians can help you while they can’t even help themselves? Let us look at this scene in the Hereafter which Allah has allowed us to witness before we even die:

And on that Day when He will gather them (all) together (and say): “O you assembly of jinns! Many did you mislead of men,” and their Auliya’ (friends and helpers, etc) amongst men will say: “Our Lord! We benefited one from the other, but now we have reached our appointed term which You did appoint for us.” He will say: “The Fire be your dwelling-place, you will dwell therein forever, except as Allah may will. Certainly your Lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing.” (Qur’an 6:128)

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Source from youtube playlist: StudyQuran101:

What is magic? The Arabic word for magic, sihr, is derived from the word sahar which is the time right before day break. At this time darkness is mixed with a little light. The sight of everything is vague. You can see outlines and shadows but you can’t make out the reality of things. Likewise magic is the power of blurring realty. The eye is deceived and perceives things that are not in line with reality.

Keep in mind that magic does not change the nature or the reality of things; rather it is a matter of deception, false perception.

Take the following example as Allah narrates the actions of Pharaoh’s magicians. (see Quran 7:116 below) (See Quran 20:65-66 below).

When the magicians threw their sticks and ropes it seemed to the audience as though they were snakes moving. Were the sticks and ropes actual snakes? Of course not! They just appeared to the people that way, moreover did the sticks and ropes appear to the magicians as snakes? Again, the answer is no! Because the magicians knew the tricks and they could see the reality of ropes and sticks.

Hence the magician only influences and deceives the eye of the bewitched. The eyes of the audience becomes fooled by the illusions and distracted from reality. This is made evident by the phrase, “appeared to him” in the verse. Highlighting the fact that it was an illusion. In fact if you continue reading these verses you can tell the difference between magic and reality.

The confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh’s magicians went as follows: (Qur’an 20:65-70). Why did the magicians fall in prostration? These were master magicians at the top of their game; they knew all the tricks of the trade and could see the reality of things. Their ropes and sticks were just that, ropes and sticks. However when Moses threw his staff it turned into a real python devouring their ropes and sticks. The magicians realized that this was not magic, these were no tricks. The only one capable of turning a wood staff into a real live snake is Allah. They immediately realized that Moses brought the truth and that he is supported by miracles from his Lord. Who could have understood that better than the master magicians themselves hence they fell in prostration to Allah when they saw that Moses had brought something far beyond human capacity.

Magic is also a practice that is done by the jinn. More specifically the devils of the jinns. It is still a practice of deception and masking the reality of things and devils have the ability to appear in many forms and shapes. We cannot perceive the actual form or reality of a devil but when a devil takes a specific form. We can see that illusion. For example when a devil takes the form of a human, we see him as a human, if he turns into an animal, we see him as an animal. The problem with the devils is that when they take a specific form they are ruled by the limitations of that form. For example if a devil takes a human form and he is shot by a gun then he will die and if he is in an animal form and is hit by a car then he will die. This is because humans and animals are affected by bullets and car crashes thus devils usually stay in such a visible form for an extremely short period of time. This is sheer Mercy from Allah to all humanity because if that was not the case then mischief and chaos would have spread across the globe.

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IARLG Comments:

Before we expound more, we would like to add on the article from StudyQuran101 above. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said the following:

Sunan Abi Dawud > Book of General Behaviour > Chapter: Regarding killing snakes; Narrated AbuSa’id al-Khudri: ………The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: Some snakes are jinn; so when anyone sees one of them in his house, he should give it a warning three times. If it return (after that), he should kill it, for it is a devil.

The hadith above proves that jinns really can die in a fashion explained above. Below are a list of Surahs in which Allah defines Magicians from different angles of the same event. It is our responsibility to ensure we pounder upon these Ayats below. In the mean time we will list what we have found out?

Allah says the Magicians performed a great Magic (See Quran 7:116). Pounder on this; Allah sent the angels Harut and Marut to teach people magic and through the generations it reached the magicians of Pharaoh. The magicians do their sorcery and Allah calls it great meaning they were experts of what they were not supposed to learn.

We learn further in (See Quran 7:116) that they just bewitched the eyes of the people. Bewitch means to cast a spell on and gain control over (someone) by magic; and in (Quran 20:66) the words, “appeared to him” all show that magicians can’t create anything.

(See Quran 20:69). Allah here explains to us as he explained to Musa that which they made/faked/manufactured was only a magician’s trick. They didn’t create anything. The word “sanaoo” can mean made/faked/manufactured; all what they did can be explained. For example if someone brings you ice and heats it so that it becomes water, would you be surprised? If he heats that water further to become vapor would you be surprised? If he cools that vapor to water and further back to ice would you be surprised? Once you see through their tricks you will understand and not be impressed by this foolishness called Magic.

You might have fear like the way Musa had fear (See Quran 20:67), but it would only be a temporary short fear that doesn’t even show.

(See Quran 20:72); this further proves that magic is just trickery and fake when the magicians told Pharaoh that “We prefer you not over the clear signs that have come to us, and to Him (Allah) Who created us…”. They knew they and the jinns can’t create anything and that is why they called the miracle they witnessed ‘clear signs’.

Messengers have brought the truth and follow it. Why do disbelievers accuse Messengers of being magicians? We will see next week In Shaa Allah

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How Allah defines magicians and magic – Surah Al’Araf – 7th Surah

[Fir’aun (Pharaoh)] said: “If you have come with a sign, show it forth, – if you are one of those who tell the truth.” (Qur’an 7:106)

Then [Musa (Moses)] threw his stick and behold! it was a serpent, manifest! (Qur’an 7:107)

And he drew out his hand, and behold! it was white (with radiance) for the beholders. (Qur’an 7:108)

The chiefs of the people of Fir’aun (Pharaoh) said: “This is indeed a well-versed sorcerer; (Qur’an 7:109)

“He wants to get you out of your land, so what do you advise?” (Qur’an 7:110)

They said: “Put him and his brother off (for a time), and send callers (men) to the cities to collect (and) – (Qur’an 7:111)

“That they bring up to you all well-versed sorcerers.” (Qur’an 7:112)

And so the sorcerers came to Fir’aun (Pharaoh). They said: “Indeed there will be a (good) reward for us if we are the victors.” (Qur’an 7:113)

He said: “Yes, and moreover you will (in that case) be of the nearest (to me).” (Qur’an 7:114)

They said: “O Musa (Moses)! Either you throw (first), or shall we have the (first) throw?” (Qur’an 7:115)

He [Musa (Moses)] said: “Throw you (first).” So when they threw, they bewitched the eyes of the people, and struck terror into them, and they displayed a great magic. (Qur’an 7:116)

And We inspired Musa (Moses) (saying): “Throw your stick,” and behold! It swallowed up straight away all the falsehoods which they showed. (Qur’an 7:117)

So they were defeated there and then, and were returned disgraced. (Qur’an 7:119)

And the sorcerers fell down prostrate. (Qur’an 7:120)

They said: “We believe in the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists). (Qur’an 7:121)

“The Lord of Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron).” (Qur’an 7:122)

Fir’aun (Pharaoh) said: “You have believed in him [Musa (Moses)] before I give you permission. Surely, this is a plot which you have plotted in the city to drive out its people, but you shall come to know. (Qur’an 7:123)

“Surely, I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, then I will crucify you all.” (Qur’an 7:124)

They said: “Verily, we are returning to our Lord. (Qur’an 7:125)

“And you take vengeance on us only because we believed in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.) of our Lord when they reached us! Our Lord! pour out on us patience, and cause us to die as Muslims.” (Qur’an 7:126)

How Allah defines magicians and magic – Surah Yunus – 10th Surah

Then after them We sent Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron) to Fir’aun (Pharaoh) and his chiefs with Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). But they behaved arrogantly and were Mujrimun (disbelievers, sinners, polytheists, criminals, etc.) folk. (Qur’an 10:75)

So when came to them the truth from Us, they said: “This is indeed clear magic.” (Qur’an 10:76)

Musa (Moses) said: “Say you (this) about the truth when it has come to you? Is this magic? But the magicians will never be successful.” (Qur’an 10:77)

They said: “Have you come to us to turn us away from that (Faith) we found our fathers following, – and that you two may have greatness in the land? We are not going to believe you two!” (Qur’an 10:78)

And when the sorcerers came, Musa (Moses) said to them: “Cast down what you want to cast!” (Qur’an 10:80)

Then when they had cast down, Musa (Moses) said: “What you have brought is sorcery, Allah will surely make it of no effect. Verily, Allah does not set right the work of Al-Mufsidun (the evil-doers, corrupts, etc.). (Qur’an 10:81)

“And Allah will establish and make apparent the truth by His Words, however much the Mujrimun (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, etc.) may hate it.” (Qur’an 10:82)

How Allah defines magicians and magic – Surah Taha – 20th Surah

And indeed We showed him [Fir’aun (Pharaoh)] all Our Signs and Evidences, but he denied and refused. (Qur’an 20:56)

He [Fir’aun (Pharaoh)] said: “Have you come to drive us out of our land with your magic, O Musa (Moses)? (Qur’an 20:57)

“Then verily, we can produce magic the like thereof; so appoint a meeting between us and you, which neither we, nor you shall fail to keep, in an open wide place where both shall have a just and equal chance (and beholders could witness the competition).” (Qur’an 20:58)

[Musa (Moses)] said: “Your appointed meeting is the day of the festival, and let the people assemble when the sun has risen (forenoon).” (Qur’an 20:59)

So Fir’aun (Pharaoh) withdrew, devised his plot and then came back. (Qur’an 20:60)

Musa (Moses) said to them: “Woe unto you! Invent not a lie against Allah, lest He should destroy you completely by a torment. And surely, he who invents a lie (against Allah) will fail miserably.” (Qur’an 20:61)

Then they debated with one another what they must do, and they kept their talk secret. (Qur’an 20:62)

They said: “Verily! These are two magicians. Their object is to drive you out from your land with magic, and overcome your chiefs and nobles. (Qur’an 20:63)

“So devise your plot, and then assemble in line. And whoever overcomes this day will be indeed successful.” (Qur’an 20:64)

They said:”O Musa (Moses)! Either you throw first or we be the first to throw?” (Qur’an 20:65)

[Musa (Moses)] said: “Nay, throw you (first)!” Then behold, their ropes and their sticks, by their magic, appeared to him as though they moved fast. (Qur’an 20:66)

So Musa (Moses) conceived a fear in himself. (Qur’an 20:67)

We (Allah) said: “Fear not! Surely, you will have the upper hand. (Qur’an 20:68)

“And throw that which is in your right hand! It will swallow up that which they have made. That which they have made is only a magician’s trick, and the magician will never be successful, no matter whatever amount (of skill) he may attain.” (Qur’an 20:69)

So the magicians fell down prostrate. They said: “We believe in the Lord of Harun (Aaron) and Musa (Moses).” (Qur’an 20:70)

[Fir’aun (Pharaoh)] said: “Believe you in him [Musa (Moses)] before I give you permission? Verily! He is your chief who taught you magic. So I will surely cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides, and I will surely crucify you on the trunks of date-palms, and you shall surely know which of us [I (Fir’aun – Pharaoh) or the Lord of Musa (Moses) (Allah)] can give the severe and more lasting torment.” (Qur’an 20:71)

They said: “We prefer you not over the clear signs that have come to us, and to Him (Allah) Who created us. So decree whatever you desire to decree, for you can only decree (regarding) this life of the world. (Qur’an 20:72)

They said: “Put him off and his brother (for a while), and send callers to the cities; (Qur’an 26:36)

“To bring up to you every well-versed sorcerer.” (Qur’an 26:37)

So the sorcerers were assembled at a fixed time on a day appointed. (Qur’an 26:38)

And it was said to the people: “Are you (too) going to assemble? (Qur’an 26:39)

“That we may follow the sorcerers [who were on Fir’aun’s (Pharaoh) religion of disbelief] if they are the winners.” (Qur’an 26:40)

So when the sorcerers arrived, they said to Fir’aun (Pharaoh): “Will there surely be a reward for us if we are the winners?” (Qur’an 26:41)

He said: “Yes, and you shall then verily be of those brought near (to myself).” (Qur’an 26:42)

Musa (Moses) said to them: “Throw what you are going to throw!” (Qur’an 26:43)

So they threw their ropes and their sticks, and said: “By the might of Fir’aun (Pharaoh), it is we who will certainly win!” (Qur’an 26:44)

Then Musa (Moses) threw his stick, and behold, it swallowed up all the falsehoods which they showed! (Qur’an 26:45)

And the sorcerers fell down prostrate. (Qur’an 26:46)

Saying: “We believe in the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists). (Qur’an 26:47)

“The Lord of Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron).” (Qur’an 26:48)

[Fir’aun (Pharaoh)] said: “You have believed in him before I give you leave. Surely, he indeed is your chief, who has taught you magic! So verily, you shall come to know. Verily, I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will crucify you all.” (Qur’an 26:49)

They said: “No harm! Surely, to our Lord (Allah) we are to return; (Qur’an 26:50)

“Verily! We really hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins, as we are the first of the believers [in Musa (Moses) and in the Monotheism which he has brought from Allah].” (Qur’an 26:51)